Trail Mix | Jane Kramer

That will most certainly be the sentiment on Friday, as songwriter Jane Kramer, who has long had ties with the Asheville area, returns to The Grey Eagle to celebrate the release of her brand new record, Carnival of Hopes.

Kramer, who studied at Warren Wilson College and made her musical mark in the region as part of The Barrel House Mamas, spent some years out west before returning to North Carolina last year.

Kramer is certainly hitting her stride on Carnival of Hopes, her second solo release. She embraces songwriting that runs through a gamut of emotions, with heartache, regret, fear, and hope resounding deeply in her lyrics, and each tune is delivered with a voice that only be described as one of the purest in modern Americana.

Carnival of Hopes is a steady stream of beauty and features a bevy of musicians well familiar to the Asheville scene. Nicky Sanders, long time fiddler for Steep Canyon Rangers, took part in the recording, as did Franklin Reel, cellist for Sirius B, and Eliot Wadopian, River Guerguerian, and Chris Rosser of Free Planet Radio. Many of these musicians, along with others from the record and many of Kramer’s Asheville friends, will be joining her on stage Friday night.

For evidence of just how good Jane Kramer is, check out the title track from the new record, which Trail Mix happily features this month.

Jane Kramer called Western North Carolina home for a time before venturing off. Now she has returned, complete with a rousing and powerful new record. Like the antique ferris wheel featured on her new disc, she has come full circle.

For more information on Jane Kramer, the new record, or her concert schedule, make sure to check out her website.

Trail Mix would like to give you the chance to catch Jane Kramer, along with The Sea The Sea, on Friday at The Grey Eagle. If you are interested, take a shot at the trivia question down below. Email your answer to dave@blueridgeoutdoors.com. A winner of two tickets to the show will be chosen from all correct answers received by noon tomorrow (Thursday, February 25th).

Question . . . All of the tracks on Carnival of Hopes were written by Jane, with the exception of “Down South.” What free fallin’ songwriter can take credit for penning that one?